MOLLUSCA. 



1 89 



The species of Octopus (0. vulgaris, Fig. 178) found on 

 the British shores, and known as the common Poulpe, is of 

 rare occurrence on the Irish coast.* Its strange figure and 

 staring eyes cannot fail to excite astonishment when seen for 

 the first time, more especially when its twisting arms are 



Fig. 178. OCTOPUS OR. POULPE. 



employed in the act of walking, or in that of swimming, by 

 means of the contractions of their connecting membrane. 

 These amis have, however, another office, for which they are 

 elaborately adapted ; and as the description given of them by 

 Professor Jones is equally applicable to other Cephalopods, 

 we shall adopt the language of that eloquent writer: 



" The feet or tcntacula appended to the head are not, how- 

 ever, exclusively destined to effect locomotion ; they are used, 

 if required, as agents in seizing prey, and of so terrible a cha- 

 racter, that armed with these formidable organs, the Poulpe 

 becomes one of the most destructive inhabitants of the sea; 

 for neither superior strength nor activity, nor even defensive 

 armour, is sufficient to save its victims from the ruthless 

 ferocity of such a foe. A hundred and twenty pair of suckers, 

 more perfect and efficacious than the cupping-glasses of human 

 contrivance, crowd the lower surface of every one of the eight 

 flexible amis. If the Poulpe but touch its prey, it is enough ; 



* Another species {Eledone ventricosa) takes its place, and often its 

 name E. Ball. 



